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Commercial

preparation standards

Cleaning and Painting – Verifying Quality in the Field

Buildings, Commercial, Inspection / By

The paint systems used on buildings are selected from published performance data, manufacturer’s recommendations, previous experience, and referrals from others.  At the manufacturing facility, the raw materials are blended together in specific proportions in a well-controlled environment, and systematic tests of product quality are made throughout the process.  Despite the controls exercised over manufacturing, the …

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assuring quality

Assuring and Controlling Quality – A Conversation with Ken Trimber

2 Comments / Commercial / By

With more than 40 years of experience in the industrial painting field, Kenneth A. Trimber sees “poor compliance with the specification” as an ongoing challenge in commercial coatings work — despite the availability of well-written specifications and highly capable painting contractors. In the following interview, he delves into the causes of that problem, discussing strategies …

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moisture-sensitive coating layers

How Many Times Can I Repaint the Exterior of My Building?

Buildings, Coating Failure, Coatings, Commercial, Concrete, Concrete Walls / By

In the September 2014 issue of Durability + Design, we described the laboratory test methods used to determine the water vapor permeance of coatings, as well as the importance of knowing the permeance of the interior and exterior coatings used on building walls. As seen in Durability & Design, January 2017 “Calculated Impact: Can WUFI …

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slippery surface

Testing the Slip Resistance Properties of Flooring

Commercial, Concrete Floors, Health & Safety / By

Measuring slip resistance of walking surfaces involves identifying applicable regulations; the appropriate test device and test method; surfaces to be tested (flat surfaces, ramps and stairs, areas of surface wear, contamination, and irregular flooring surfaces); and applicable types of footwear (or lack thereof).  With so many variables, the process quickly becomes complicated.  This article discusses …

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Editing the Trouble Out of Painting Specifications

Commercial, Concrete Walls, Specifications / By

Painting specifications identify the facility or building owner’s requirements for the selection and use of coatings for both the protection of substrates and aesthetics. The specifications identify the requirements for surface preparation and coating application; the materials to be applied, often by brand name; color schemes; and expectations for quality control and documentation (Fig. 1). …

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elevated lattice structure

Corrosion Management of Elevated Lattice Galvanized Structures

Commercial, Corrosion, Galvanizing / By

      Many countries, especially the western nations who had ramped up and developed immense industrial capacities during World War II, underwent huge expansions in their infrastructure after the end of the war, primarily in the 1950s, 1960s and into the 1970s. Not only did this include the building of roads, bridges, ports and …

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Rilem Tube

Mitigating Moisture in Concrete and Masonry Walls

1 Comment / Coating Standards, Coatings, Commercial, Concrete Floors, Concrete Walls, Inspection, Moisture / By

In commercial buildings, the uncontrolled intrusion of moisture into concrete and masonry walls may have costly consequences. Moisture supports the growth of mold, and causes wall coatings to blister and peel. It also saturates insulation, reducing energy efficiency. In extreme cases, moisture intrusion leads to spalling and could even necessitate wall replacement. Coatings and water …

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delamination on top surface

Rehabbing Concrete Floors: Coat, Cover, or Polish?

2 Comments / Buildings, Coating Assessment, Commercial, Concrete Floors, Moisture / By

Concrete is the most commonly and widely used construction material for commercial building floors. While the decision to specify concrete is an easy one, the selection of the floor finish or coverings to be installed on the floor can be quite complicated. There are endless floor finishing options for new construction projects. Owners and designers …

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concrete wall coatings

Treating Exterior Concrete Walls with Coatings

Buildings, Coatings, Commercial, Concrete Walls, Moisture, Surface Preparation / By

Concrete is widely used in commercial building construction and is present in a number of forms: poured concrete, tilt-up concrete and concrete masonry units (CMU). CMU also comes in a number of different forms: standard block, split-face block and scored block. Because of the dull gray appearance of concrete, however, coatings are usually applied in …

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coatings for hospital

Selecting Coatings for Hospitals by Service Area

Buildings, Coatings, Commercial, Hospitals, Specifications / By

Coatings used in hospitals and healthcare facilities must be kept clean, which typically requires frequent scrubbing and disinfecting. These coatings must therefore be resistant to abrasion and to the chemicals used in cleaning products. Meeting these requirements typically indicates the need for high performance coatings. But there are often other requirements for coatings used in …

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